Women leaders from different localities shared their achievements in participation in the decision-making process on local level
On 25th November in the frames of Conference „Participation and representation of women in the decision-making process on local level” women from different groups that candidated or were elected on the local level met with representatives of local public authorities, political parties, development partners and civil society.Date:
„We had a complex program with diverse activities dedicated to empowerment of women with disabilities and a mentoring program that lasted around three month. In this program participated 46 women from the whole country that represents a very considerable result. Of the total number of participants, 50 percent were elected in the functions of local counselors, which is a very good and unexpected result.” – mentioned Ludmila Iachim, Executive Director of „MOTIVATIE” („MOTIVATION”) of Moldova.
Desiree Jongsma, UN Resident Coordinator ad interim said that „Women engagement is a testament that there is hope and we will not give up until the targets related to Sustainable Development Goal 5, to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, are achieved.”
”Gender roles, family responsibilities and etnical discrimination are limiting chances of Roma women to participate in political life. The political parties hesitated to include Roma women in party lists but at the same invited them to collect signatures and to work for the election campaign.” – specified Natalia Duminica, executive director of the National Roma Center.
Milana Rikanovic, UN Women Country Representative ad interim sent words of encouragement to women attending the event – ”Today is the Internatonal day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and the beginning of the campaign ” 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”. It is extremely important to join forces in combating violence in the decision-making process, hate speeches and discrimination based on ethnicity and gender which really impedes women's participation in the decision-making processes and in the elections in general.”
"It is really important to do our best to avoid any form of discrimination and promote activities and initiatives to eliminate violence against women and girls. And such conferences and discussion platforms are very important for encouraging each other. " – noted Oxana Paierele, National Program Coordinator, Embassy of Sweden in the Republic of Moldova.
In his speech, Dorin Cimil, the President of the Central Election Commission, mentioned that “For the general local elections, several actions and events in the field of information, training and in the field of accessibility study were organized. Those made a direct link between the Central Election Commission and people with special needs. As a result, several people were informed about the rules for participation in elections, both in the legislative plan and in the training plan at all stages. Also, I want to inform you that in the local elections for this year, the mandatory quota of 40% of the electoral lists was respected and the women were encouraged to participate in the electoral process.”
The conference was a good opportunity for discussions and exchange of experience between Roma women and those with disabilities, who managed to become local counselors. During the event, the participants shared both the results and the challenges obtained in the local elections.
At the end of the event, the participants adopted a resolution on the need to take measures to ensure the fair participation and representation of Roma women and women with disabilities in political life and in decision-making processes at local and national level. The document with claims will be submitted to the representatives of the Government, the Parliament and the political parties.
In the electoral race that took place in October 2019, 15 Roma women and 7 women with disabilities applied for mayor and councilor functions. These women have participated in the political training programs, carried out by the Roma National Center and the "MOTIVATION" Association of Moldova, in partnership with UN Women Moldova and funded by Sweden. The programs aimed to increase the number of Roma women and women with disabilities in the decision-making process at local level. Following the results of the local elections, 6 women with disabilities and 6 Roma women were elected as local councils.